While South Africa captured the world’s imagination in the turbulent 1980s and some South African photographers have become internationally recognised both before and since then, there remains a depth of talent that is largely unseen and ‘underexposed’. These photographers are not known outside of a small circle in South Africa, though their contribution to our country’s photographic heritage and history is highly significant. With support from Duke University, the photographic unit identified eleven such photographers whose work makes up the Underexposed collection. The Underexposed project spans a number of decades, different styles of photography, and many different subjects.